I signed up to an account on the mastodon.social server using the federated FOSS microblogging/twitter style service Mastodon a few years ago. I liked the look of it and the idea that it was free and servers could be based around different topics/groups etc, but like many such services I knew no-one on it and as such put it to one side thinking it would probably fade away or become a dull hangout for hardcore nerds and misanthropes.
Advocacy
My truths, which may be quite different from yours. May be inconsistent, may not make sense, and may at times be a danger to shipping.
What was your first car? Answer now and suffer the consequences!
What was your first car?
1.8k responses on the original post. 5.5k responses on the share?
Great.
Now I know what your first car was.
I also know, from your Facebook profile, what your full name is (thanks Facebook and your real name policy) where you live, (if you’ve entered it, which you probably have) who you work for and who your family members are. Some of you even have your phone number listed.
If you are female and married, I probably also know what you maiden name is if you’ve listed your mother as a family member (which you have). I also may know who your favourite bands are and where you were born. What school you went to, what university, what shops you like, what websites you go to.
Scared yet? No?
The Importance of Storing Metadata in the Digital-only Age
As a metadata nerd I’ve been a long time Musicbrainz user. Last night I was trying to tidy up the Severed Heads releases and realised that a lot of the original online references have gone. Sure, the basic facts about many releases are stored by fans on the likes of MusicBrainz.org or Discogs.com, but not everything. Nuances and original intent can be lost.
Dude, ur forum smells like ass!
One thing I’ve just been reminded of his how incredibly stale Internet forums can become.
I’ve been on the internet since around 1997 and on FidoNET before that since around 1993. I’ve been in a lot of forums based on a lot of different subjects including bands I like, computers and software I use, TV shows I like etc. I’ve made a lot of good friends in those forums and there is nothing better that the community spirit in a good forum…
But it doesn’t last.
Tux sux, and you know it!
Which is the odd one out? Yeah, that’s right. Regardless of any personal opinion you might have about the companies in question, Apple and Microsoft both have well designed and instantly recognisable logos. Apple’s in particular is a cultural icon. The windows logo is ubiquitous. Tux, on the other hand… Tux is an embarrassment. A … Read more
Music Online
In this modern era there is much talk of making music available online without the shackles of the physical media. However this has posed problems: No money being made. Making money from it… oh yes, that’s all they are interested in these so-called ‘Artists’. Well yes… because for some of them It’s that or back … Read more